Dot operator (⋅) is the Unicode character at U+22C5 in the Mathematical Operators block. Official name: DOT OPERATOR. It is the common math “dot” for multiplication and for vector dot products (e.g. a ⋅ b).
Remember
Character ⋅
Unicode U+22C5
Named entity ⋅
Hex entity ⋅
Decimal ⋅
CSS escape \22C5
Not the same · · × · • · .
Prefer ⋅ in HTML markup. You can also type ⋅ in UTF-8, or use numeric forms when needed.
Dot Operator using Named Entity: ⋅
Dot Operator using Hex Code: ⋅
Dot Operator using HTML Code: ⋅
Dot Operator using CSS Entity: ⋅
Typed directly: ⋅
Multiplication: a ⋅ b
Dot product: u ⋅ v
How It Works
1. Named:⋅ is the HTML5 name for U+22C5 → ⋅. Best default in markup.
2. Hex:U+22C5 → ⋅ in HTML. Same glyph as the named form.
3. Decimal: same code point as 8901 → ⋅. Same result as hex and named.
4. CSS: use \22C5 in content (not an HTML entity). #point::after appends that ⋅ after the paragraph text.
5. Typed / examples: paste ⋅ in UTF-8, or write a ⋅ b and u ⋅ v.
Pitfalls & Tips
Common mistakes when working with Dot Operator.
·
Not middle dot
· (·, U+00B7) is for typography and lists. For math multiplication/dot product, prefer ⋅ (⋅).
×
Not the times sign
× (×) is a different multiplication glyph. Use it when you want the × symbol, not the raised math dot.
.
Not the period
The ASCII period . (U+002E) is punctuation. Do not use it as a substitute for ⋅ in math.
CSS vs HTML
Do not mix escapes
\22C5 belongs in CSS strings. ⋅ / ⋅ / ⋅ belong in HTML.
Fonts
Math font coverage
Some fonts omit U+22C5. Prefer a font with Mathematical Operators coverage for display.
Semicolon
End references
Always finish with ; — write ⋅, not &sdot.
Compatibility
Browser Support
Dot operator (U+22C5) and its entity forms (⋅, ⋅, ⋅, CSS \\22C5) are supported in all mainstream browsers. Visible glyphs depend on math font coverage.
✓ Universal support
Dot Operator (⋅)
Encode with named, hex, decimal, CSS escape, or type the character — same code point everywhere encoding is supported.
100%Browser coverage
Google ChromeSupported
Yes
Microsoft EdgeSupported
Yes
Mozilla FirefoxSupported
Yes
Apple SafariSupported
Yes
OperaSupported
Yes
Internet ExplorerAll versions
Yes
U+22C5 / entitiesFull support
Bottom line: Prefer ⋅ in HTML. Use ⋅ or ⋅ when numeric form is required, and \\22C5 only inside CSS content.
Remember
Key Takeaways
Unicode: dot operator is U+22C5 (decimal 8901) — glyph ⋅.
HTML: prefer ⋅, or use ⋅ / ⋅ / type ⋅.
CSS: use \22C5 inside content for generated text.
Meaning:⋅ = math multiplication/dot product — not ·, ×, or ..
One line:U+22C5 → ⋅ / ⋅ / ⋅ / CSS \22C5 / type ⋅.
Frequently Asked Questions
Use ⋅ (named), ⋅ (hex), ⋅ (decimal), type ⋅ directly in UTF-8, or the CSS escape \22C5 in content. Prefer ⋅ in normal HTML.
U+22C5 (DOT OPERATOR). Hex 22C5, decimal 8901. It belongs to the Mathematical Operators block (U+2200–U+22FF).
Yes. Use ⋅. Numeric forms ⋅ and ⋅ also work.
Use it for a multiplication-style math dot or a vector/scalar dot product (a ⋅ b). Prefer · (·) for typography/lists and × (×) when you want the times sign.
HTML entities (⋅, ⋅, or ⋅) go in markup. The CSS escape \22C5 goes in stylesheet strings (usually content on ::before/::after).
No. ⋅ is U+22C5 (⋅). · is U+00B7 (·). × is U+00D7 (×). They look similar in some fonts but are different characters.
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Did you know?
Dot operator is Unicode U+22C5 (decimal 8901) — glyph ⋅ in the Mathematical Operators block. HTML5 names it ⋅. Use it for multiplication dots and vector dot products (e.g. a ⋅ b). Do not confuse it with middle dot · (·) or times × (×).
